As I am sure you all know, the first game week of the season got under way on the weekend of 14 April. After decent pre-season build up at the practices and a solid performance against the 2's in a warm-up match , the Ladies were keen to get the season up and running.
The goals for the season were discussed and it was important for this young side to start the season with a bang!
Date: 14 April
Venue: Mutual
The goals for the season were discussed and it was important for this young side to start the season with a bang!
Date: 14 April
Venue: Mutual
Time: 13:30
Opponent: Belhar
Opponent: Belhar
Typical of all Mutual sides...the Ladies were on time and at the astro and hour before our game. Belhar...well, at one point I (Coach Piles) was wondering if we would have to use this match as a practices session. Luckily, new comers Belhar decided to pitch 30 minutes before the game. The Coach quickly moved to blame the late arrival on "we were at the grass field, when was the game moved?". I swiftly countered with "it was never at the grass field, the game was confirmed by you and it said @ Mutual Astro" (to prove my statement please see the following cut and paste job from my email to this chick "L5 - Mutual CPUT A v Belhar - Sat 13:30 @ Mutual Astro").
Moving on, some pleasantries were exchanged as the Belhar Coach (now identified as Sandy) had a good long look at my Ladies in full warm-up mode. She had a worried look on her face at just the prospect of comparing our warm-up with actual game play. Sandy then rattled off about her team and "why did the Union not make a L6 league" and this was going to be demoralising for her team. She even stated that one of her players was in her 1 week ever of hockey, and asked that if the whistle is blown for a foul, that the umpire should explain the foul committed so that her players could learn the rules....#WTH! (WTH = L5 A version of WTF, young side and all....).
As 13:30 approached, Goose (umpire) was missing. I tried to call him...it went straight to voice mail. I tried to call Els, as I saw his car parked at the "tuck shop"...no answer.
I ran across to the "tuck shop" and heard voices coming from the Pit (back store room, really scary if you go in there alone). I called out for Goose and after some whispering...Goose came out looking rather chuffed. Els followed shortly after....dodgy!!! (Tosser - What happens in the pit stays in the pit)
The game started a few minutes late with Belhar fielding 10 players. The Mutual Ladies looked AWESOME in their lumo yellow head bands kindly made possible by PG, many thanks for her efforts.(Tosser - suck up) The Coach was now also the umpire #happens when you don't organise your own umpire.
After the first 5 minutes, it was clear we were the dominate side. Also, the Belhar Coach/Umpire was now also the teams "gees" provider. Shouting out some mooi words of "encouragement" at her players, causing a couple surprised looks from the Mutual tech table. She certainly had a way with words.
After many shots at goal, including one or two short corners, it appeared that the area towards the left hand post had some sort of like vortex or gravitational pull. Almost every shot going in that direction. The frustration finally gave way with the first goal, new comer Cat ("Catherine Lowings") doing what she did last year for Durbanville (puke) when she received the ball on p-spot with her back to the goals, turning strong and slotting a decent push past the keeper. Mutual 1 - 0 Belhar.
After many shots at goal, including one or two short corners, it appeared that the area towards the left hand post had some sort of like vortex or gravitational pull. Almost every shot going in that direction. The frustration finally gave way with the first goal, new comer Cat ("Catherine Lowings") doing what she did last year for Durbanville (puke) when she received the ball on p-spot with her back to the goals, turning strong and slotting a decent push past the keeper. Mutual 1 - 0 Belhar.
A few minutes and a couple missed short corners later, goal 2 was scored. Camped inside the 25 of Belhar and lining up for shots at goal like a que for Thursday's All You Can Eat at Panorottis, Slacker ("Chelsea Manoek") was in the perfect position. A tap in on the far post was well deserved for being in that perfect spot. Mutual 2 - 0 Belhar.
The tactful "encouragement" from the Belhar Coach/Umpire/Team Gees worked its magic with one of the Belhar players walking off the field after a spout of words directed at her. Belhar now playing with 9 players. A well worked short corner was saved, or rather hit the keeper, when Pikkie smashed the ball at goal and Cat made a great run to get a deflection but unlucky straight at the keeper who hadn't moved for the last few minutes.
The next two goals were scrappy as we managed to force the ball over the line. Slacker again at far post making it difficult for Belhar to deal with her and slotted her second goal of the game. Jambo ("Jami Bulcraig") finishing off an untidy spell of trying to get the ball over the line, scoring her first and easiest of her two goals for the game. Mutual 4 - 0 Belhar and half time.
The half time team talk was based on making sure we did not concede any goals, trying to get more shots on target and checking that Tiny (goal keeper "Kayley Mac Tavish") was not getting sick from standing in the rain for 35 minutes doing absolutely nothing. At this point Belhar did not know that there was another side to the field.
The second half got under way with our eye on the winning goal difference of 5 goals to ensure a bonus point. This was important as Pinelands had clapped the Ladies 4th side 8 - 2 the previous evening, gaining a bonus point and a goal difference of 6. No favours there from the Ladies 4's. (#TellUSA)
The second half got under way with our eye on the winning goal difference of 5 goals to ensure a bonus point. This was important as Pinelands had clapped the Ladies 4th side 8 - 2 the previous evening, gaining a bonus point and a goal difference of 6. No favours there from the Ladies 4's. (#TellUSA)
Goal 5 came after a few frustrating short corners were once again off target to that vortex at the left hand post. Credit must go to our short corner injector, Monster ("India Louw"), for turning what was actually two straight pokes from the castle which were off target, into what looked like a variation with Monster flying in a the post after the push out to almost get them in. The third time was awesome to see as Monster managed to slap the off target shot back at goal with the keeper helpless. Mutual 5 - 0 Belhar.
Soon after the 5th goal went in, Jambo was in prime spot to receice a perfect pass from birthday girl "Jess Banks" (nickname pending). Jambo had enough time to turn strong and hit a crisp, clean shot past the keeper for her second of the game. I still wonder why Jess didn't walk that one in and help herself to a prezzie but turns out some girls are very unselfish. Mutual 6 - 0 Belhar.
Right after the restart, Belhar somehow had two players injured....with no one around. The umpires consulted and it was decided to end the game early, I was not impressed! One more goal would have ensure our goal difference would have been better than that of Pinelands. But ja....such is life. And I think Tiny was starting to shiver...
Final Score: Mutual 3's 6 - 0 Belhar
A lot of reference was made above to the forwards, but the halfs did very well to make sure that any threat of an attack was cut short of the 25 in a matter of moments. The links did plenty of leg work and really sealed off the gaps and stopped Belhar of getting out of their 25. Thanks to the the team for dealing with the position changes when being substituted, having a 6 defenders made substitutions very interesting.
A lot of reference was made above to the forwards, but the halfs did very well to make sure that any threat of an attack was cut short of the 25 in a matter of moments. The links did plenty of leg work and really sealed off the gaps and stopped Belhar of getting out of their 25. Thanks to the the team for dealing with the position changes when being substituted, having a 6 defenders made substitutions very interesting.
A great start to the season with the team on track with both the primary and secondary goals achieved.
The Custard King (UltraMel)
Coach Piles
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